CONVERSION AND COMPATIBILITY CONSTITUTE TWO MAJOR CONCERNS IN THE INSTITUTION OF AUTOMATED SYSTEMS IN LIBRARIES. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THESE TWO FACTS, THIS REPORT DESCRIBES IN DETAIL FIVE MORE OR LESS STANDARD AND HIGHLY COMPATIBLE CIRCULATION SYSTEMS WHICH INCORPORATE A COMMON FORM OF INPUT AND WHICH REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF CONVERSION FROM TRADITIONAL MANUAL OPERATIONS. THE FIVE SYSTEMS OUTLINED ARE--(1) MANUAL SYSTEM, (2) PUNCH CARD ACCOUNTING MACHINE CIRCULATION SYSTEM, (3) SAMLL SCALE CONTROL SYSTEM, (4) LARGE SCALE CONTROL SYSTEM, AND (5) ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEM. SEVERAL PRIMARY REQUIREMENTS ARE LEVIED ON THE DESIGN OR ON THE LIBRARY IF THE COMPATIBILITY AND EASE OF CONVERSION SOUGHT IS TO BE PRACTICAL. THESE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DESIGN ARE--(1) INPUT FORMAT TO ALL SYSTEMS IN THE FAMILY SHOULD BE IDENTICAL, AND (2) OUTPUTS SHOULD SUPPORT ALL THE NORMAL CONTROLS AVAILABLE THROUGH TRADITIONAL TWO-CARD LIBRARY SYSTEMS. FOR THE LIBRARY, THE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE--(1) ALL PATRONS SHOULD BE REGISTERED AND UNIQUELY IDENTIFIED, AND (2) EACH PHYSICAL ITEM SHOULD HAVE A UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AS AD-653-591 FROM THE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR FEDERAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION, SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA 22151, $3.00 FOR HARD COPY, $0.65 FOR MICROFICHE, 172 PAGES. (AUTHOR/JB)